Age of majority
Age of Majority
The Age of Majority (pronunciation: /eɪdʒ əv məˈdʒɔrɪti/) is a term used in law to describe the threshold of adulthood as recognized or declared in law. It is the moment when minors cease to be considered such and assume legal control over their persons, actions, and decisions, thus terminating the control and legal responsibilities of their parents or guardian over them.
Etymology
The term "Age of Majority" originates from the Latin "aetas maioritas". "Aetas" translates to "age", and "maioritas" translates to "majority". The term was first used in the 16th century to denote the age at which one could vote or hold public office.
Related Terms
- Emancipation: The fact or process of being set free from legal, social, or political restrictions; liberation.
- Minor (law): A person under a certain age, usually the age of majority, which legally demarcates childhood from adulthood.
- Legal age: The age at which a person is legally competent to consent to particular activities.
- Guardianship: The position of protecting or defending something.
Age of Majority by Country
The age of majority varies between 16 and 21 in most countries, usually coinciding with the age of license (including driving), marriage, voting, and drinking alcohol. Here are a few examples:
- In the United States, the age of majority is 18 in most states, with exceptions including Alabama and Nebraska, where it is 19, and Mississippi, where it is 21.
- In Canada, the age of majority is 18 in six provinces: Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. In the remaining provinces, it is 19.
- In the United Kingdom, the age of majority is 18.
See Also
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